WE NEED YOUR HELP!

As with all very old buildings, St. Giles' church is in constant need of tender loving care. However, for some time now the Quinquennial Inspection (an inspection carried out on the building every five years by the Church Architect for our parish) has highlighted the timbers in the bell tower as a point of possible concern in the future. Following a recent survey by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, it was noted that the future has caught up with us, and the bell tower is now in need of URGENT repair.

The bells are hung for ringing full circle and the walls of the Belfry and the framing of the oak superstructure have been cut away to facilitate this. The bells are hung from timber headstocks in plain bearings in an oak frame. All three swing east to west, the first and second are at high level and the tenor below. The tenor has a chiming hammer.

The report pointed out that the bells, which were installed over a hundred years ago, had been 'shoe horned' into an impossibly tiny space which put great pressure on the surrounding timbers. Years of full circle ringing have weakened the timbers, and corrosion in the metal supports is causing great concern. The timber frame to the base of the spire also needs attention as the original iron bolts are rusting and splitting the timbers. Scaffolding will be required to lower and re-hang the bells.

The cost to restore the bell tower, lose the 'ring over' and have the bells re-tuned to suit their new 'sounding' position, will be in the region of £20,000.

As you can imagine, for a church such as St. Giles', which only has a small regular congregation, raising such a sum is very difficult. If you feel able to contribute to this work, no matter the size of your donation, we would be very grateful, and your donation will be recorded in a suitably inscribed book.

Cheques should be made payable to 'St. Giles' Church, Langford', and sent to the Churchwarden, Mrs. Irene Allen, 11 Ulting Lane, Langford, Maldon, Essex CM9 6QB with a note to say that it is for the belltower fund.

A special service of re-dedication will take place when the work is completed, and you will, of course, as a benefactor, be invited to this special event.